Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson is ready to continue with Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney in midfield, after the duo impressed in United's FA Cup victory over Wolves yesterday.
With Paul Scholes, John O'Shea and Ryan Giggs all injured, Alan Smith not fully fit either and Darren Fletcher needing a rest, Ferguson opted to pair the England duo together for the Cup game.
Even though neither man has any real experience in the role, the tactic worked well as United romped to a 3-0 fourth-round win at Molineux.
And, with Smith suspended for the midweek Ewood Park encounter with Blackburn Rovers, Ferguson may yet spurn the option of recalling Fletcher and stick with the Rooney-Ferdinand axis.
"It is possible I could play them in there on Wednesday because they both did very well," said Ferguson. "I was forced into the move really because my best selection options were all at the back."
He added: "Darren Fletcher has played a lot of games and needed a break, while Alan Smith has been missing training with an ankle problem and I felt it was a big ask to throw him into a full-blooded FA Cup tie."
Former United skipper Paul Ince certainly believes that Ferdinand could have a future as a midfielder, and claimed that he could be England's answer to a holding midfielder.
"I have always said Rio is a fantastic player and he could do that holding role for England. I know there is a question mark over who is going to play centre-half but Rio is good enough to play in that position and Sven should be looking at that because the lad is awesome."
